Nairobi, Kenya – Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested five individuals suspected of orchestrating a gold scam that defrauded two foreign businessmen of USD 120,000 (approximately Ksh. 15.5 million).
The DCI identified the ringleader as Lamarca J. Benjamin, alias Morlon Jean Emmanuel, who is alleged to be the CEO of AFREX Bridge Connections Ltd. The other suspects were named as Samson Kibet Sirkoi, Lucy Gitonga, Rose Kambua, and Justine Adhiambo.
The complaint against them was officially lodged at Wilson Airport Police Station on January 29, 2025.
How the Fraud Unfolded
According to police reports, the victims were approached by an intermediary who introduced them to Lamarca, claiming he was selling 550 kilograms of gold. The gold was allegedly stored at a warehouse at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and was ready for shipment on January 20, 2025, pending the payment of USD 120,000 for clearance.
Believing the deal to be legitimate, the foreign businessmen transferred the funds. However, after the payment was made, the supposed gold never materialized, prompting them to report the matter to the authorities.
Arrest of the Suspects
Upon receiving the report, DCI officers launched an extensive investigation, leading them to the AFREX Bridge Connections Ltd. offices, where they collected key evidence and made the first arrests.
Arrests Timeline:
- January 31, 2025: 34-year-old Samson Kibet Sirkoi was apprehended.
- February 2, 2025: Officers raided Mount Kenya Wildlife Estate in Nanyuki, where they arrested Lamarca and Justine Adhiambo.
- Earlier, Lucy Gitonga and Rose Kambua were also detained.
Weapons and Contraband Recovered
During the operation, law enforcement seized a cache of weapons and suspicious documents, further raising concerns about the extent of the criminal network. Among the recovered items were:
- Two Glock pistols
- 96 rounds of 9mm ammunition
- Three 9mm tracer bullets
- 14 smoke grenades
- A bulletproof vest
- A pair of handcuffs
- A MacBook and a laptop
- Six expired mineral licenses
- Various seals and stamps
- A vehicle (registration number KCW 880M) linked to Lamarca’s residence at Riverside Pearl in Kileleshwa, Nairobi.
The Firearms Licensing Board later confirmed that Lamarca is not a registered firearm holder, raising further legal concerns about his possession of weapons.
Court Proceedings and Further Investigations
Following their arrests, Lucy Gitonga and Rose Kambua were arraigned in court, where investigators secured custodial orders to allow for continued investigations. The remaining suspects are set to be arraigned on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
Authorities believe the scam may have targeted multiple victims, both locally and internationally, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the syndicate’s operations.
Gold Scams in Kenya: A Growing Concern
Kenya has become a hotspot for gold-related fraud, with numerous reports of foreigners and local investors losing millions in fake deals. Fraudsters often use forged documents, fake storage facilities, and high-profile connections to lure victims into parting with huge sums of money.
The DCI has urged potential investors to conduct due diligence before engaging in gold transactions and to work with licensed dealers and government agencies to avoid falling victim to scams.
Conclusion
The arrests of the five suspects underscore the growing problem of gold fraud in Kenya and the government’s commitment to cracking down on such criminal networks. Authorities have vowed to ensure justice is served, with more arrests and court proceedings expected in the coming days.
The public is urged to report any suspicious activities involving gold transactions to law enforcement agencies to prevent further financial losses.
